Rock the Ridge 50-Mile Endurance Challenge

Support Ivan Castro and SFCT!

Hogs and Rags Fundraiser

Challenge Fundraiser

Pick up the challenge and join our friend, Mr. Ron Farkas, as he hikes 300 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail from Campo, California to the 300 mile mark near San Bernardino, California. The journey begins on December 1, 2016 and completion of the 300 mile trek will be on, or about, December 31, 2016.

Ron’s challenge to all is to contribute $1.00 per mile achieved. 100% of the funding will go directly to The Special Forces Charitable Trust.

You will be able to track Ron’s progress on his fundraising mission as well as encourage him along the way. Don’t wait; accept the challenge!

If you have any questions, or you would like to pledge per mile, please contact Michael Mika, Secretary on the Board of the Special Forces Charitable Trust at scsfceo@gmail.com or email the Special Forces Charitable Trust at info@SpecialForcesCharitableTrust.org. Thank you!

Book Launch: Fighting Blind

Bobby Van’s on Broad Street, NYC – November 15th

Join the Special Forces Charitable Trust in celebrating the November 15th book launch for Ivan Castro’s memoir, Fighting Blind, co-authored by Ivan Castro and best-selling author of American Sniper, Jim DeFelice.

Meet the authors, enjoy hors d’oeuvres with drinks in New York City, and bring home a signed copy of Fighting Blind.

Be sure to sign in to Amazon Smile so that a portion of the money is donated to SFCT.

IRONMAN Half Triathlon to Benefit Special Forces Charitable Trust

Morning View Beach (Zuma Beach) in Malibu, CA was the location of an IRONMAN triathlon to benefit The Special Forces Charitable Trust on on October 22. Everyone who can beat the race’s patriotic benefactor, Jeff Barton of Malibu Funding, Inc., received $100 from Barton, and Barton gave $100 dollars to Special Forces Charitable Trust for everyone who came out in any part of the race.

Celebrating The Green Beret Family Reception

On October 18th, The Special Forces Charitable Trust hosted its Celebrating The Green Beret Family Reception in Washington DC, where we recognized this year’s incredible Martha Raye award recipients.

These extraordinary women have gone above and beyond, making incredible sacrifices in order to support their Soldiers, their Families, and the Regiment.

During a major battle in Soc Trang, Vietnam, entertainer and Honorary Col. Maggie Raye put on her fatigues and went to the dispensary to provide medical assistance for more than 30 hours with minimal rest. General William C. Westmoreland called her the “the grandest trooper of them all” when he presented her the Department of the Army, Outstanding Civilian Service Award in 1966.

1st Special Forces Command (A) celebrated Oct. 18 as eleven 1st SFC (A) spouses received the Col. Maggie Raye Volunteer Award for “Outstanding Civilian Service” from Brigadier Gen. John Deedrick, 1st SFC (A) Deputy Commanding General in Washington, D.C. The awards were part of the annual Celebrating the Green Beret Family Reception.

The award’s namesake, Maggie Raye, was a popular entertainer during World War II through the Vietnam War, traveling to Vietnam more than any other entertainer. Due to her dedication to the troops, President Lyndon B. Johnson made her an honorary Lt. Col. in the Armed Forces and presented her with a Green Beret in 1964.

“Ms. Raye held a special affection for our operators, sending them telegrams, delivering letters and photos to family members, relaying specific stories, and even building an addition to her California home as a safe house for them,” said Deedrick. “For all of her efforts to support not just Green Berets, but all American Servicemen, Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger presented her with the Department of Defense, Distinguished Public Service Award in 1986.

The Col. Maggie Raye Volunteer Award was conceived by the U.S. Army Special Forces Command in 2010 and has been awarded every year since, even after the unit’s transformation to the 1st Special Forces Command (A). It recognizes those who have contributed significantly to the quality of life for soldiers, exemplifying personal concern for their needs, development, and welfare; and concern for the families of soldiers in the Special Forces regiment.

Linda L. Repass, a former 30-year family readiness support advisor, helped in the foundation of the Col. Maggie Raye Volunteer Award during her tenure as the Family Readiness Support Advisor for U.S. Army Special Forces Command in 2008-2010.

“I hope this award motivates spouses to volunteer. Our family readiness groups make a difference,” Repass said. “We are one big family, and we need to take care of each other.”

The spouses recognized reflect the ideals for which Maggie Raye stood: dedication, patriotism, volunteerism and concern for the troops.

“In the true spirit of Colonel Maggie Raye, this award recognizes service that is often behind the scenes, and improves the community and enhances the overall military lifestyle of the unit,” said Deedrick.

$1.25 million raised at the Great Americans Shoot

MSG Gary Gordon Medal of Honor Memorial 5K

The Special Forces Charitable Trust and the MSG Gary Gordon MOH Memorial Fund hosted a 5K Fun Run/Walk in Lincoln, ME this August.

Many people in MSG Gordon’s hometown of Lincoln, as well as many virtual participants across the nation and abroad, participated in this 5K event. Funds raised will go towards the construction of a memorial for MSG Gordon, SFC Randy Shughart, and the team members who made the ultimate sacrifice during Operation Gothic Serpent in Somalia. Participants had a beautiful day and they are already saying how excited they are to participate again next year.

Camp Nash at Fontanel

A Memorial Day Festival Benefiting
The Special Forces Charitable Trust

Fontanel had its first annual Memorial Day weekend celebration on Monday, May 30th, 2016. The celebration benefited the Special Forces Charitable Trust and was sponsored by Nationwide Express. This family friendly country music lifestyle event featured performances by country superstars Big & Rich, Thompson Square, Parmalee, Chuck Wicks (Co-host of America’s Morning Show and MC of Camp NASH), RaeLynn, and Breaking Southwest.